With more cuts inevitable, UFC boss not interested in staring-contest champions

http://mmajunkie.comWhile the pending merger between the UFC and WEC has been largely applauded by MMA pundits and fans, there are likely a few Zuffa-contracted fighters who are concerned about their fighting futures.

After all, with more athletes under contract than fights available to book, the new-look UFC will be forced to let go of a substantial amount of fighters in the new year.

UFC president Dana White said it’s an unfortunate reality of the fight game, but it’s no different than any other professional sport. Besides, perform well and White said you’ll have nothing to fear.

“These are the big-leagues, man,” White said. “It’s no different than Major League Baseball, no different than the NFL. You perform, or you go away.”

Following each UFC event, fans and media alike try and channel their inner Joe Silva (the UFC’s vice president of talent relations) and determine which crop of fighters are likely to receive their walking papers. It’s a sad reality that at least a few fighters from each UFC event are likely to be fighting on the regional circuit in their next appearance, but White said it’s no different than any other professional sport.

“It’s no different than any other professional sports organization,” White said. “That’s exactly the way it works. If you want to stay at the top of the food chain, you do. If you don’t perform, you don’t.

“You know how many [expletive] guys get cut in the NFL and Major League Baseball every day? It’s crazy. Staggering. It’s the same thing here. There’s no difference.”

White said the key to UFC longevity is to fight hard, regardless of result. Take, for instance, five-time “Fight of the Night” winner Tyson Griffin, who retained his position with the organization despite suffering his third-straight defeat at this past weekend’s UFC 123 event.

“I’d rather have two guys in a dog fight and have a guy lose and keep him around than have a guy who’s in the Ultimate Staring Competition for five minutes,” White said. “Nobody wants to see that [expletive].”

The opposite holds true for newcomer Maiquel Falcao, who was often unwilling to move forward during his UFC 123 decision victory over Gerald Harris. White said he’ll give the Brazilian a pass in his first octagon appearance, but the UFC boss’ expectations call for a more entertaining affair next time out.

“What I’m giving [Falcao] is the benefit of the doubt because this was his first UFC fight,” White said. “He did go in against a tough guy, but I think he could have finished that fight whenever he wanted to.”

The WEC’s final event is scheduled for December, and several of the promotion’s athletes are already scheduled for UFC cards. Many of them, as well as their UFC counterparts, will be fighting for roster spots each time they step in the cage. And with the world’s best fighters all hoping for a chance to shine on the octagon, White notes it’s important to fight each contest as if it could be your last as a UFC employee.

“There’s a lot of guys that are coming up that are really talented,” White said. “I think the pool is just going to keep getting bigger and bigger and bigger. You’re going to keep getting these guys from all over the world.

“It’s a dog-eat-dog world. There’s so many good guys out there. You’re literally fighting for your UFC life every time you fight.”

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